SILVER-STREET.—Presbyterian, Extinct.

THOMAS BURES, a worthy minister of the Presbyterian denomination, was born in London, of pious parents, on the 30th October, 1698. His grandfather the Rev. Richard Bures, was one of those confessors for religious liberty, who were ejected from their stations in the church by the act of Uniformity, in 1662. He was afterwards an eminent minister in the metropolis, and died May 7, 1697. Dr. Calamy gives him the character of a valuable man, of the old puritan stamp; of great gravity and an excellent preacher.

His grandson, Thomas Bures, discovered in early life, a deep and uncommon regard to the things of religion. From his childhood he was acquainted with the scriptures, and took great delight in the secret exercises of piety. This excellent disposition, inclined his parents to devote him to the service of Christ, in the ministry of the gospel; and with this view they bestowed upon him a suitable education. After passing through the various forms of the grammarschool, he was placed for academical learning under the care of two very able tutors, the learned Mr. John Eames, and the eminent Dr. Thomas Ridgley, with whom he went through the usual course in philosophy. Having finished his preparatory studies, his first settlement was in the honourable and religious family of Sir Richard Ellys. During the short time of his continuance with this worthy gentleman, he performed the duties of his station with great diligence and acceptance; but he was soon called from it to assist an aged minister in the country. This service he undertook with much self-diffidence and humility; but through the grace of Christ which was with him, his labours were agreeable, and he was highly esteemed both by minister and people.

From the country, Mr. Bures was called to a more public station in the metropolis. The Presbyterian congregation in Silver-street, having sustained a heavy loss in the death of the excellent Mr. Samuel Rosewell, one of their pastors, in 1722, Mr. Bures was invited to fill up the vacancy as assist: VOL. III.

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ant to their surviving minister, the pious and learned Mr. Jeremiah Smith, who expressed a singular affection and respect for him, as long as he lived. Mr. Smith dying in the following year, the Rev. Daniel Mayo, of Hackney, was chosen to succeed him, and Mr. Bures was associated with him in the pastoral office, to which he was solemnly ordained, in 1724. In this situation he continued till his death.

Mr. Bures was a minister of learning and piety, and unwearied in his endeavours to promote serious religion. He was a man of great humility, of a meek and quiet spirit, and was a lover of all good men, by whatever name, or party, they were distinguished. In doctrinal points, he was a moderate Calvinist; he understood well the doctrines of the gospel, professed by our excellent reformers, and often lamented the too common defection from some important truths, nor was he backward to defend them: but his zeal was so conducted by prudence, and recommended by the charity and humility of his mind, and manner of address, that while those who were in his own sentiments, were entertained and edified, none could readily be offended. If there was any defect of natural vivacity in his constitution, this was supplied by the strength and solidity of his judgment, which was improved by unwearied diligence in reading and meditation. His sermons were elaborate; there was a rich variety in his subjects, and a wise mixture of the doctrines, duties, and privileges of Christianity. His method was easy and natural; his style concise, but clear, adapted to the lowest understanding; yet, at the same time, raised above the contempt of the polite and ingenious. His elocution was feeble, but sweet and melting. There were evident marks of extensive knowledge and careful study in his compositions, and a devotional spirit animated them all. His public discourses were well adapted for usefulness. He knew how to touch the conscience of a profane and careless sinner; but was in a special manner blessed with the tongue

of the learned, to speak a word in season to him that was weary. He had in a high degree the gift, as well as the grace of prayer; and was remarkable for the reverence, contrition, and enlargement of heart with which he performed that solemn part of public worship.

His private character was in perfect harmony with his public profession, and was every way becoming a minister of Christ. He was naturally of a timid and retired disposition; and, though he wanted not talents for agreeable and useful conversation, yet his excessive modesty would hardly allow him to think so. The unhappiness of natural constitution depressed his spirit, and led him to affect too much a recluse and solitary life, by which means he deprived his friends of a great deal of pleasure and benefit, and excluded himself from some parts of usefulness, to which his heart was well disposed; but the loss which his friends sustained in this respect, was in a great measure compensated by his diligent preparations for the pulpit.

A complication of disorders, and a premature death are generally the lot of those persons who indulge in sedentary habits, and apply themselves with too great intenseness to study; this makes it neceesary for persons of a recluse disposition, if they would preserve their health, to submit to more than ordinary self-denial. It was for want of attending to this, that Mr. Bures became an early victim to the grave, Before he had passed the meridian of life, he began to complain of bodily infirmities, which were but a presage of the breaking up of nature. His last illness attacked him with great violence, and snatched him away before his friends. were generally apprehensive of his danger. In his last moments his mind was calm and serene, He expressed his dependence on Christ's righteousness for acceptance, and a comfortable persuasion of his own sincerity. As death drew near, he declared the solemn thoughts of his heart concerning eternity, in very affecting language. "Oh! awful eternity! And has God prepared an eternity of happiness for such poor

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lost, short-lived and perishing creatures as we are! Oh, the goodness of God in Christ!" He exhorted all around him to think more of eternity, and live more for eternity. With these solemn thoughts, Mr. Bures quitted the regions of mortality, and entered the unseen world, in the 49th year of his age, early in the month of October, 1747, having been minister in Silver-street, almost five and twenty years. Dr. Langford, who had been some years his assistant, preached a discourse on his death to his bereaved congregation, Oct. 11, from 2 Cor. iv. 12. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Mr. Bures published a discourse upon the death of his colleague, Mr. Daniel Mayo; preached at Silver-street, June 24, 1733, on Heb. xiii. 7. We have not met with any more of his publications.

WILLIAM LANGFORD, D. D.-Mr. Mayo dying in 1733, in the course of the following year, Mr. (afterwards Dr.) William Langford was chosen assistant to Mr. Bures, then sole pastor of the congregation in Silver-street. As he was engaged at this place only on one part of the Lord'sday, he was chosen in 1736, to assist Mr. Wood, at the Weigh-House; dividing his services between the two congregations, till Mr. Wood's death, in 1742, when being chosen pastor at the Weigh-House, he removed wholly to that place. Under that article the reader will find a more particular account of Dr. Langford.*

THOMAS GIBBONS, D. D.-Upon Mr. Langford's removal, Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Thomas Gibbons, was chosen to fill up his place as assistant to Mr. Bures. But he continued in this situation only a short time; for in the following year, 1743, he was chosen to succeed Mr. Wright as pastor of a congregation at Haberdashers'-Hall, where we propose to give a further account of him.

See Vol. i. p. 183.

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JOSEPH GREIG.-After the removal of Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Joseph Greig was, for a short time, assistant to Mr. Bures, at Silver-street; but upon the death of the latter, he retired from this service. Mr. Greig married a lady with considerable property, the widow of Col. Drew. After this, he retired to St. Albans, and lived upon his estate, without any ministerial charge; but he assisted his brethren occasionally, and preached most frequently for Dr. Fordyce. Mr. Greig died, we believe, at Walthamstow, on the 29th of October, 1768. He was a man of considerable talents, possessed a lively genius, and had a turn for poetry. The late Mr. Joseph Fawcett, the pulpit orator, was his nephew.*

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INDEPENDENT.-EXTINCT.

THE Independent Society that succeeded to the Presby

terian at the meeting-house in Silver-street, was gathered during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell; Mr. Philip Nye being teacher, and Mr. John Loder, pastor. The former of these persons made a distinguished figure at this period, and was one of the Dissenting brethren in the Westminster assembly. His church appears to have taken a principal lead among those of his own denomination. In 1659, the number of members was 145, among whom were several officers of the army, and other persons of considerable distinction and figure in the world.

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